Jayden Daniels has near-flawless performance in prime-time debut: ‘He’s special’

CINCINNATI — Actions speak louder than words, right? Well, if you went to sleep after “Monday Night Football” with your ears ringing, blame Jayden Daniels.

The Washington Commanders rookie quarterback uncorked a scintillating, sensational and spectacular road performance in his prime-time debut.

Daniels outdueled his fellow LSU Heisman Trophy winner, Joe Burrow, with a near-flawless showing. He frustrated Cincinnati Bengals pass rushers and tacklers with mystifying moves in the pocket and moving-the-chains plays under duress. The 23-year-old, in his third game, set a rookie record for single-game completion percentage (91.3), led Washington to scores on all six of its drives (not including kneeldowns) and kept the team’s turnover number at zero.

Then there were the passes. The soul-snatching, jaw-dropping throws. Among them, a 55-yard strike in the second quarter and a pinpoint 27-yard lob at least 7 yards deep in the end zone for Washington’s final points. Like the national television audience, the player on the receiving end was gobsmacked.

“Both throws were dimes,” Terry McLaurin exclaimed. “Dimes!”

BIG TIME PLAYS
BIG TIME PLAYERS
BIG TIME MOMENTS

📺 #WASvsCIN ABC pic.twitter.com/1K0rzklNIG

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 24, 2024

Daniels’ teammates, including those like McLaurin who have lived through years of quarterback turnover and organizational tumult, were thrilled following the 38-33 win. Yes, for the victory that improved Washington to a surprising 2-1 record, but also what they witnessed from the young quarterback.

It’s not simply that Daniels completed 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns or rushed untouched for a 4-yard score. Or that he avoided putting the ball in harm’s way in another interception-less game and led Washington with 39 rushing yards. He also created a future trivia question that would stump “Jeopardy!” champs by throwing his first career touchdown pass to offensive lineman Trent Scott.

The style and savviness displayed, especially when Cincinnati pulled within one score on Ja’Marr Chase’s second touchdown reception as the clock read 9:42, would be impressive for an experienced gamer. The 12-play, 70-yard drive capped by McLaurin’s touchdown catch included a fourth-and-4 from the Bengals’ 39. Daniels calmly completed a 9-yard pass to tight end Zach Ertz.

Daniels and McLaurin had yet to establish in-game chemistry through two weeks. Much of the talk leading into the game at Paycor Stadium centered on how Washington needs to feed its playmaker. Three plays after the Ertz catch — with the Bengals showing a Cover zero scheme — the duo connected for a pass that, according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats, was the most improbable completion of the season.

Jayden Daniels’ 27-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin had a completion probability of 10.3%, the most improbable TD of the season, and the most improbable completion by the Commanders in the NGS era (since 2016).#WASvsCIN | @Commanders pic.twitter.com/mvDpQkG9ly

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 24, 2024

“I’m not sure I’ve seen something like that,” said 13-year veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner.

Few Washington fans have this century. The drought extends back shortly after Washington’s 1991 Super Bowl victory, the third under legendary coach Joe Gibbs. Joe Theismann, the franchise’s first quarterback to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in 1982, posted on his X account, “Washington get excited about our team and our QB.”

The recent bleak history includes nary a winning season since 2016, the year before two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen was drafted.

“He’s special,” Allen said.

Daniels was the sixth Week 1 starting quarterback in McLaurin’s six seasons. It’s understandable if the team’s top receiver passed on proclaiming the rookie as Neo, the one. After this performance, let the proclamations sing.

“Hey, that kid has poise. I think he grew up tonight,” McLaurin said. “He’s been doing a great job in camp making those throws, but to come out here and do it when you’ve got to have it with the game on the line — that’s what great players are about.”

It’s fair to imagine players on the Bengals dropped some choice four-letter words after falling to 0-3. Every possession for both teams crossed midfield. But while Cincinnati settled for three field goal attempts — kicker Evan McPherson missed one — Washington’s attack, dubbed a “college offense” by Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt last week, couldn’t be stopped.

“I thought their quarterback played great,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “He was a difficult challenge. Obviously, it wasn’t enough for us today.”

Was anyone in the building incapable of hyperbole about Daniels’ work? Yes, the chill and poised quarterback himself.

“It’s great,” Daniels said of the win. “Not just for me, but the whole team.”

When Commanders coach Dan Quinn decided to put the ball in the rookie’s hands on fourth down rather than kick a field goal or punt, something Washington hasn’t done in two games, Daniels acknowledged the “faith in me to go out there and make a play in a critical moment.”

The play call that resulted in a 1-yard touchdown pass for Washington’s largest lead at 28-13 in the third quarter had the 6-foot-5, 320-pound Scott “nervous as crap. Do not drop the ball on ‘Monday Night Football.’” He didn’t. Whether Scott or Daniels gets to keep the ball is, in theory, up for discussion, according to the players — but not for Quinn. “Maybe we’ll think of something for Trent,” Quinn said.

Daniels and the offense had minimal gaffes. He appropriately credited his offensive line for solid protection. Running backs Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. each found the end zone. Opening the second half, Ekeler popped a 62-yard kick return, leading to Scott’s score. That Ekeler left the game with a concussion was one of the few down notes, along with the defensive struggles.

YOU LOVE TO SEE IT

📺 #WASvsCIN ABC pic.twitter.com/BlM0eOxlIi

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 24, 2024

Quinn said winning meant a team effort in all three phases, “And we certainly did that.” That is true, but questions about Daniels dominated the postgame chatter.

“He’s a really cool customer and he’s got great poise about him,” Quinn said of Daniels. “I thought it was a really strong performance by him.”

Daniels never came close to patting himself on the back during his postgame session with reporters. He also isn’t afraid to state that, while success in this new situation includes a measure of surprise, he knows the work that led to such heights.

“What’s done in the dark will always come to light,” he said.

Asked what he showed the NFL: “I’m a competitor,” Daniels said. “I want to compete at the highest level. It’s a blessing to be able to go out there each and every (game) to do things that a lot of people in the world can’t do.”

That last sentence is about playing in the NFL. Granted, it doubles as a testament to Daniels’ skills and potential. He’s confident but not arrogant enough to proclaim his rising status. His actions said plenty, and the sound was deafening.

(Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images)